Devices, systems, and methods for suture management

ABSTRACT

Devices, systems, and methods are provided for managing suture filament during a tissue repair procedure. One exemplary embodiment of an anchor insertion tool includes a handle, an elongate shaft extending distally from the handle, and a ring disposed around the elongate shaft. The ring can be configured to slide along a length of the shaft, and can be configured to engage a filament extending from an anchor removably coupled to the shaft&#39;s distal end during a suture anchor insertion procedure. In some embodiments, the ring can include one or more slots for receiving a filament and maintaining a tension applied to the filament. The ring can also include features that prevent it from rotating with respect to the shaft, such as a boss formed on a ring&#39;s central opening that engages a slot formed in the shaft. Other devices, systems, and methods for suture anchor insertion are also provided.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to and is a divisional of U.S.application Ser. No. 13/869,625, filed Apr. 24, 2013, and entitled“DEVICES, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS FOR SUTURE MANAGEMENT,” which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to devices, systems, and methods forsecuring soft tissue to bone, and more particularly relates to managingsuture filament during a tissue repair procedure.

BACKGROUND

A common injury, especially among athletes and people of advancing age,is the complete or partial detachment of tendons, ligaments, or othersoft tissues from bone. Tissue detachment may occur during a fall, byoverexertion, or for a variety of other reasons. Surgical interventionis often needed, particularly when tissue is completely detached fromits associated bone.

One common procedure used in tissue repair involves coupling a suturefilament associated with a surgical implant, such as an anchor, staple,or tack, to the detached tissue. The surgical implant can be disposedproximate to a desired location for the detached tissue, such as in abone, and then tension can be applied to the suture filament to draw thedetached tissue toward the surgical implant. In exemplary embodiments ofa repair procedure, no knots are tied by the surgeon to couple thesuture filament to the detached tissue or to move the detached tissue tothe desired location. Once the tissue arrives at the desired location,it can be secured at the location using any number of techniques knownto those skilled in the art.

Tissue repair procedures such as the one described above can beperformed using minimally invasive surgical techniques, such asendoscopies and laparoscopies to minimize the amount of recovery time,pain, and surgery-related complications. A trocar is disposed at thesurgical site and the suture filament and surgical implant are disposedtherethrough to perform the repair procedure. A number of complicationsexist, however, with the current tools and techniques used in suchrepairs, including complications related to managing suture filamentduring the course of the repair.

For example, current tools require that a long length of suture filamentbe used to perform the repair. Typically the filament extends asubstantial length outside of the trocar, for instance at least halfwayup a shaft of an insertion tool, or even further. Additionally, it canbe difficult to keep track of filament being used during the procedure.Each suture filament typically includes two terminal ends that extendout of the trocar, and when multiple filaments are used during a repairprocedure, it can be challenging to keep track of the various ends ofthe filaments. Challenges further escalate when tension is applied toone or more of the ends of the suture filaments. Surgeons find itdifficult to apply and retain tension in one suture filament whileattempting to manipulate and tension other suture filaments.

Another complication presently faced in view of existing tools andtechniques is undesirable wrapping of the filaments that can occur wheninserting a surgical implant into bone. As an insertion tool is rotatedto implant the surgical implant in bone, the filaments associated withthat implant can undesirably wrap around the shaft of the insertiontool. This is particularly troublesome when the wrapping occurs below anaccess port of a trocar. The filaments and tool can become tangled anddifficult to manage during and after the insertion, and when thewrapping occurs below the access port, it is difficult for the surgeonto access the tangled filaments to try and loosen it away from theshaft.

Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide devices, systems, andmethods that assist in managing suture filament during endoscopic andlaparoscopic tissue repair procedures.

SUMMARY

Devices, systems, and methods are generally provided for managing suturefilament during a tissue repair procedure. In one exemplary embodiment,a suture anchor insertion tool is provided and includes a handle, anelongate shaft extending distally from the handle, and a ring disposedaround the elongate shaft and slidable along a length of the shaft. Theshaft can have a slot formed along at least a portion of its length, aswell as a cannulated distal end that is in communication with the slot.The distal end can be configured to engage a suture anchor. The ring caninclude a central opening, and the ring can be configured to engage atrailing end of a suture filament extending from the slot of the shaftduring a suture anchor insertion procedure.

The ring can include at least one slot extending from a proximal surfaceof the ring and toward a distal surface of the ring. The slot can beconfigured to receive a suture filament. In some embodiments the ringcan include multiple slots disposed approximately equidistantly around acircumference of the ring. The handle of the tool can also include acomponent that has a slot formed in it. The slot can be configured toreceive a filament extending into the handle from a location distal ofthe slot.

The ring can be non-rotatably coupled to the elongate shaft. Forinstance, the ring can include a boss formed in its central opening, andthe boss can be configured to engage the slot of the shaft when the ringslides along a length of the shaft. The engagement of the boss withinthe slot can prevent the ring from rotating with respect to the shaft.

In an exemplary embodiment of a suture anchor insertion assembly, theassembly provided includes a handle, an elongate shaft extendingdistally from the handle, a ring slidably disposed around the elongateshaft, and a suture anchor removably and replaceably coupled to a distalend of the shaft. The ring can be configured to engage a suture filamentextending from the anchor. The ring can also be configured to sliderelative to the elongate shaft to apply tension to the suture filamentas the suture anchor is driven into bone.

The assembly can also include a suture filament coupled to the sutureanchor, the filament extending along at least a portion of a slot formedin the elongate shaft, and extending through a central opening of thering. Further, the assembly can include a threader. The threader canhave a distal portion disposed distal of the suture anchor, a proximalportion disposed proximal of the ring, and a flexible intermediateportion disposed therebetween. The distal portion can be configured toreceive a suture filament for loading onto the suture anchor. Theproximal portion can include a handle portion to assist in pulling asuture loaded on the distal portion through the suture anchor. Theassembly can also include a filament extending from the handle, throughthe elongate shaft to the shaft's distal end, and back through theelongate shaft to the handle. The filament can be configured toremovably couple the anchor to the distal end of the elongate shaft.

The ring can include at least one slot extending from a proximal surfaceof the ring and toward a distal surface of the ring. The slot can beconfigured to receive a suture filament. In some embodiments the ringcan include multiple slots disposed approximately equidistantly around acircumference of the ring. Further, the ring can be non-rotatablycoupled to the elongate shaft. In some embodiments the ring can includea boss that extends into a slot of the elongate shaft to preventrotation of the ring relative to the shaft.

In other aspects, a method for repairing tissue is provided and includesinserting a suture anchor removably and replaceably coupled to a distalend of an inserter shaft through a cannula to position the suture anchoradjacent to an implant site. The suture anchor can have a suturefilament associated with it, the filament extending proximally from theanchor and through the inserter shaft. The shaft can have a ringslidably disposed around it and coupled to the suture filament such thatas the anchor moves toward the implant site, the ring slides relative tothe insert shaft and a distance between the anchor and the ringincreases.

As the anchor moves toward the implant site, the ring can abut a face ofthe cannula. In some embodiments, the method can further includeinserting the suture filament into a slot of the ring to maintain atension applied to the suture filament. The method can also includerotating the inserter shaft to insert the suture anchor into bone. Whilethe inserter shaft is rotated, the ring can guide a trailing portion ofthe suture filament through a slot formed in the inserter shaft.

The filament can be loaded onto the anchor using any number oftechniques. In some embodiments a threader having a proximal portion, adistal portion, and an intermediate portion can be used. The method caninclude loading the suture filament onto a distal portion of thethreader when the distal portion is located distal of the suture anchor.The intermediate portion can extend through the suture anchor, and theproximal portion can be located proximal of the suture anchor, adjacentto the ring. The proximal portion of the threader can be pulledproximally along the shaft, away from the ring. This, in turn, canadvance the distal portion of the threader, and thus the suture filamentloaded thereon, through the suture anchor and through the ring.

Still further, the method can include decoupling the suture anchor fromthe inserter shaft, and removing the inserter shaft from the implantsite. As the shaft is removed from the implant site, the ring can guidea trailing portion of the suture filament through a slot formed in theinserter shaft. In some embodiments, a second suture filament extendingdistally from the handle and to a distal end of the anchor can bereleased to decouple the anchor from the inserter shaft.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

This invention will be more fully understood from the following detaileddescription taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1A is a top view of one exemplary embodiment of a suture anchorinsertion device;

FIG. 1B is a perspective exploded view of the device of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a suture management ring of the deviceof FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2B is a top view of the suture management ring of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 2C a side view of one slot of the suture management ring of FIG.2A;

FIG. 3A is a side view of an elongate shaft of the device of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional side view of the elongate shaft of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 3C is a top perspective view of the suture management ring of FIG.2A coupled to the elongate shaft of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 3D is a side perspective view of the suture management ring andelongate shaft of FIG. 3C;

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of an anchor of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 4B is a side perspective view of the anchor of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 4C is a perspective view of a distal end of the anchor of FIG. 4A,the anchor having a stay suture filament associated therewith;

FIG. 5 is a perspective exploded view of a handle of the device of FIG.1A;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a suture management card and suturegripper of the device of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 7A is a perspective view of a suture filament threader of thedevice of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 7B is a top view of a distal end of the threader of FIG. 7A in acompressed form;

FIG. 7C is a top view of the distal end of the threader of FIG. 7B in anexpanded form; and

FIGS. 8A-8D are sequential schematic views illustrating one exemplaryembodiment for using the device of FIG. 1A in a surgical procedure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Certain exemplary embodiments will now be described to provide anoverall understanding of the principles of the structure, function,manufacture, and use of the devices, systems, and methods disclosedherein. One or more examples of these embodiments are illustrated in theaccompanying drawings. Those skilled in the art will understand that thedevices, systems, and methods specifically described herein andillustrated in the accompanying drawings are non-limiting exemplaryembodiments and that the scope of the present invention is definedsolely by the claims. The features illustrated or described inconnection with one exemplary embodiment may be combined with thefeatures of other embodiments. Such modifications and variations areintended to be included within the scope of the present invention.

Additionally, to the extent that linear or circular dimensions are usedin the description of the disclosed devices, systems, and methods, suchdimensions are not intended to limit the types of shapes that can beused in conjunction with such devices, systems, and methods. A personskilled in the art will recognize that an equivalent to such linear andcircular dimensions can easily be determined for any geometric shape.Further, a number of terms may be used throughout the disclosureinterchangeably but will be understood by a person skilled in the art.By way of non-limiting examples, terms such as “suture” and “filament,”“device” and “tool,” and “system” and “assembly” may be usedinterchangeably.

The present disclosure is generally directed to anchor insertion deviceshaving features that assist in managing suture used in conjunction withsurgical implants, such as suture anchors, to perform tissue repairprocedures. In exemplary embodiments one such feature is a ring disposedaround a shaft of an anchor insertion device. As described herein, thering can be configured to manage suture in a variety of ways. In oneinstance, it manages suture by sliding with respect to the shaft andengaging suture filament disposed between the ring and shaft. In doingso, the ring guides the filament and can prevent it from tangling whenthe shaft is moved laterally with respect to the ring. The ring can alsoprevent the filament from tangling when the shaft is rotated, which canoccur when the surgical implant is being inserted into bone. The ringcan also be adapted to help manage suture filament while the filament isbeing manipulated by a surgeon to secure soft tissue at a desiredlocation. For example, one or more slots can be formed in the ring andcan be configured to receive and hold filament, thereby freeing asurgeon's hands to perform other functions while tension applied to thefilament is retained by virtue of the slot.

While a person skilled in the art will recognize that features thatassist in managing suture like a ring can be incorporated into anynumber of insertion tool and device designs, one exemplary embodiment ofsuch a device 10 is provided in FIGS. 1A and 1B. As shown, the device 10generally includes a handle 20 and a shaft 30 having a distal end 30 dconfigured to engage a surgical implant, such as an anchor 40. A ring 50can be slidably disposed around the shaft 30 and can assist in managingsuture filament that extends proximally from the anchor 40. In theillustrated embodiment, a threader 60 is provided to couple suturefilament to the anchor 40 for use in the tissue repair. A stay suture 70is also provided to maintain the anchor 40 in engagement with the shaft30 while the anchor is inserted to a surgical site. As shown, the staysuture 70 extends from handle 20, to a distal end of the anchor 40, andback to the handle 20.

The handle 20 can also include one or more features for suture filamentstorage. As shown, the handle includes a suture storage card 80, aroundwhich the stay suture 70 can be disposed. The card 80 can be accessed byopening a handle door 22 and the card 80 can be removed from the handle20 to allow the stay suture 70 to be disconnected from the handle 20.When the stay suture 70 is released, the anchor 40 can be detached fromthe shaft 30 and the shaft 30 can be removed from the surgical site. Insome embodiments a gripper 90 can be associated with the card 80 and canbe used to selectively hold the stay suture 70. Each of the componentsof the device 10 is described in more detail below.

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate ring 50 in more detail. In the illustratedembodiment, the ring 50 is generally circular in shape and has a centralopening 52 formed therein. The central opening 52 can be sized andshaped to slide closely along a length of the shaft 30 of the insertiondevice 10, and in the illustrated embodiment is substantially circular.As shown, an outer portion 50A of the ring 50 is raised above a surface50 s of an inner portion 50B of the ring 50. Accordingly, a height H_(O)of the outer portion 50A can be greater than a height H_(I) of the innerportion 50B. In other embodiments, the ring 50 can have a substantiallyuniform height.

In some embodiments, the ring 50 can include one or more features tohelp a surgeon manage multiple ends of suture filament(s) at a time. Inthe illustrated embodiment the features are in the form of a pluralityof slots 54 formed in the outer portion 50A. As shown, ten slots 54 areformed approximately equidistantly around a circumference of the ring50, i.e., approximately 36 degrees apart, although any number of slots,including just a single slot, can be formed in the ring 50, and theslots do not have to be equally spaced around the circumference of thering 50. The slots 54 can be configured to receive and retain suturefilament, and can also be adapted to maintain a tension applied to afilament.

In some embodiments a width of an opening 56 of a slot 54 can besubstantially uniform throughout, but as shown in FIG. 2C, in someexemplary embodiments a width W_(A) of the slot 54 at an opening end 54Acan be larger than a width W_(B) at a closed end 54B. Such aconfiguration can make it easier to initially insert filament into theslot 54 and can more easily allow tension applied to the filament to beretained by disposing the filament in the slot 54 at the smaller widthW_(B). The slot 54 can also included rounded or chamfered edges 55 atthe top of the opening 56, and a rounded bottom portion 57, to reducethe risk of the filament chafing or fraying.

The ring 50 can also include one or more features to help prevent thering 50 from rotating with respect to an insertion tool shaft aroundwhich it is disposed. In the illustrated embodiment the ring 50 includesa boss 58 formed on a circumference of the central opening 52. The boss58 is adapted to be seated within a slot formed in the shaft 30 of thetool 10 such that edges of the boss 58 can slide along, or at least beproximate to, edges of the shaft slot. As shown, the boss 58 has acurved outer surface, a substantially rectangular cross-section, and awidth that is complementary to a width of the slot of the shaft 30.

In general, the size and shape of the ring 50 can depend on a number ofdifferent factors including the sizes and shapes of other componentswith which the ring is used, and the type of procedure in which it isused. Accordingly, while the ring 50 and its central opening 52 areshown as being substantially circular, either can have a different shapewithout departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. In someembodiments a diameter of the ring 50 can be in the range of about 0.7centimeters to 6 centimeters, and in one embodiment is about 1.5centimeters, while a diameter of the central opening 52 can be in therange of about 2 millimeters to 12 millimeters, and in one embodiment isabout 4.5 millimeters. In some embodiments the height H_(O) of the outerportion 50A can be in the range of about 3 millimeters to 20millimeters, and in one embodiment is about 6.3 millimeters, while theheight H_(I) of the inner portion 50B can be in the range of about 1millimeter to 5 millimeters, and in one embodiment is about 2.5millimeters. Further, while a radius of the outer portion 50A and aradius of the inner portion 50B can have different sizes, in theillustrated embodiment a radius R_(A) of the outer portion issubstantially similar to a radius R_(B) of the inner portion. The radiusR_(A) and the radius R_(B) can be in the range of about 1 millimeter to10 millimeters, and in one embodiment each is about 3.1 millimeters.

Likewise, the sizes and shapes of features of the ring 50, such as itsslots 54 and boss 58, can depend on factors such as the sizes and shapesof other components with which the ring is used, and the type ofprocedure in which it is used. In the illustrated embodiment, a length Lof each slot 54 can be approximately equal to the distance between a topsurface 50 r of the inner portion 50A and a top surface 50 s of theouter portion 50B, and can be in the range of about 1 millimeter to 10millimeters. In one embodiment the length L is about 3.8 millimeters. Awidth W_(B) of the slot 54 at the lower height can be in the range ofabout 0.1 millimeters to about 1.0 millimeters, and in one embodiment isabout 0.3 millimeters, and a width W_(A) of the slot 54 at the higherheight can be in the range of about 0.1 millimeters to about 2.0millimeters, and in one embodiment is about 0.8 millimeters. A personskilled in the art will recognize that each slot can have differentdimensions and that some slots can be configured for use withdifferently sized sutures. A width 58 w of the boss 58 can be in therange of about 0.5 millimeters to 4 millimeters, and in one embodimentis about 1.2 millimeters. A length of the boss can be defined by theportion that extends between the surface 50 s of the ring 50 and aterminal distal end 50 t, and can be in the range of about 1 millimeterto 6 millimeters, and in one embodiment is about 2.5 millimeters. Athickness 58T of the boss 58 can be in the range of about 0.1millimeters to 2 millimeters, and in one embodiment is about 0.6millimeters.

The ring 50 can be made from any number of materials, including, by wayof non-limiting example, polymers such as elastomers. In one exemplaryembodiment the ring 50 is made of polyisoprene. Factors that similarlyaffect the size of the ring can also affect the type of material used toform the ring, including the materials of other components, and the typeof procedure in which the ring is used.

The shaft 30 around which the ring 50 can be disposed can have a varietyof configurations, but as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, it is generallyelongate, it has a proximal end 30 p configured to mate with a handle,and a distal end 30 d configured to mate with an anchor to be implanted.At least a portion of the shaft 30 can include an opening for receivingsuture filament. In the illustrated embodiment, the distal end 30 d iscannulated and a slot 32 is formed in a sidewall and extends from alocation proximate to the distal end 30 d, through an intermediateportion 30 i of the shaft 30, and through the proximal end 30 p. Thedistal end of the slot 32 can communicate with the cannulation in thedistal end 30 d of the shaft 30, thereby allowing a filament to extendthrough the cannulated distal end 30 d and extend along the length ofthe slot 32. In other embodiments the slot 32 may terminate prior to theproximal end 30 p.

As shown in FIG. 3C, the proximal end 30 p can include a reduceddiameter or keyed section 34 that is configured to be complementary witha handle portion, such as the handle 20. As a result, the handle 20 andshaft 30 can be securely mated during an insertion procedure. In otherembodiments the shaft and handle can be fixedly mated or integrallyformed. The intermediate portion 30 i can have a substantially uniformthickness with the slot 32 extending through at least a portion thereof.As shown, the slot 32 is formed in a surface of the shaft 30 and extendsinto a central portion 30 c of the shaft 30, forming a substantiallyU-shaped slot. The boss 58 formed in the ring 50 can extend into andalign with the slot 32 to prevent rotation of the ring 50 as it slidesfrom the proximal end 30 p (FIG. 3C) and towards the distal end 30 d(FIG. 3D). Similar to the proximal end 30 p, the distal end 30 d caninclude a reduced diameter portion as compared to the main orintermediate portion 30 i. The distal end 30 d can be sized to becomplementary to a suture anchor, such as the anchor 40.

The size of the shaft 30 and materials from which it is made can dependon factors such as the sizes and shapes of other components with whichthe shaft is used, and the type of procedure in which it is used. Asshown, the shaft 30 is generally cylindrical in shape and has a diameterin the range of about 2 millimeters to 12 millimeters, and in oneembodiment is about 4.5 millimeters. A length of the shaft 30 can be inthe range of about 18 centimeters to 30 centimeters, and in oneembodiment is about 24 centimeters. The shaft 30 can be formed frommaterials such as biocompatible materials and metals, and in oneexemplary embodiment the shaft 30 is formed from stainless steel ortitanium.

The anchor 40 that is removably and replaceably coupled to the distalend 30 d of the shaft 30 can have many different configurations. In theembodiment of FIGS. 4A-4C, the anchor 40 is in the form of a cannulatedelongate cylindrical member. An outer surface of the anchor 40 caninclude one or more bone-engaging features, such as threads 48, toassist in implanting the anchor in bone. As shown in FIG. 4C, the anchor40 includes a plurality of chambers 42, 44, 46 that extend through theanchor 40. In the illustrated embodiment volumes of the first and secondchambers 42, 44 are approximately half as large as the volume of thethird chamber 46, although any number and size of chambers can be usedwithout departing from the spirit of the present disclosure.

The first and second chambers 42, 44 can be adapted to receive a staysuture 70, and the third chamber 46 of the anchor 40 can be configuredto receive operative sutures to be used during a surgical procedure anda threader. The stay suture 70 can secure the anchor 40 to the shaft 30,the operative sutures can be used to secure tissue to bone as part ofthe surgical procedure, and the threader can be used to pass theoperative sutures through the anchor 40. In the illustrated embodiment,the stay suture 70 extends from the handle 20, through the shaft 30,through the first chamber 42, out of the anchor 40, back into the anchor40 through the second chamber 44, back through the shaft 30, and backinto the handle 20. A tension in an approximate direction F can beapplied to the stay suture 70 that counteracts gravity, thereby helpinghold the anchor 40 on the shaft 30. The tension can be held in the staysuture 70 by components disposed in the handle 20, as discussed below. Aperson skilled in the art will recognize other ways by which the anchor40 can be held onto the shaft 30, including but not limited tomechanical and frangible connections between the anchor 40 and the shaft30, and thus the disclosure of a stay suture in no way limits the way ananchor 40 can be connected to the shaft 30. Further, a person skilled inthe art will recognize that other types of surgical implants, includingbut not limited to staples and tacks, can also be adapted for use inconjunction with the tool 10.

Similar to the other components of the system or assembly, the sizes andmaterials used to form the anchor can depend, at least in part, on thesizes and shapes of other components with which the anchor is used, andthe type of procedure in which it is used. One exemplary, non-limitingembodiment of an anchor that can be used in the disclosed assembly isthe Healix Advance Knotless anchor, which is commercially available fromDePuy Mitek, Inc., 325 Paramount Drive, Raynham, Mass. 02767.

Likewise, the size and materials used as a stay suture can depend onsimilar factors. In one exemplary, non-limiting embodiment, the staysuture can be a #2 Orthocord™ filament, which is commercially availablefrom DePuy Mitek, Inc, and can have a length of about 91.4 centimeters.Other filament types, such as Ethibond™ filament, which is commerciallyavailable from Ethicon, Inc., Route 22 West, Somerville, N.J. 08876, aswell as other sizes, can also be used. In some embodiments, the filamentfor the stay suture 70 can have a size between about a #5 filament(about 20 gauge to about 21 gauge) and a #5-0 filament (about 35 gaugeto 38 gauge) and can have a length in the range of about 35 centimetersto 135 centimeters. The operative filament used to repair the tissuethat is disposed through the anchor 40 can have similar characteristicsas it pertains to size and material, again depending on the sizes andshapes of other components, and the type of procedure being performed.

The proximal end 30 p of the shaft 30 can be coupled to a handle 30 ofthe device 10. As shown in FIG. 5, the handle 20 can be a housing havinga substantially cylindrical shape and can include a storage chamber 24,a cover or door 22, and a distal knob 26. The distal knob 26 can includean aperture 27 formed therein that is complementary to a shape of theproximal end 30 p of the shaft 30. The aperture 27 can extend from adistal end 26 d of the knob 26 to a proximal end 26 p of the knob 26.The knob 26 can be configured to rotate the shaft 30. Alongitudinally-extending slot 28 can optionally be formed in the knob26. In some embodiments, for instance when there is no aperture 27 thatextends fully through the knob 26, the slot 28 can be used to pass afilament from the slot 32 into the storage chamber 24. In such anembodiment, the filament can pass through the slot 28, under the cover22, and into the storage chamber 24. The knob 26 can also includegrooves 29 formed in a surface thereof, which can allow a surgeon tomore easily grasp and rotate the knob 26 as desired.

The storage chamber 24 can be configured to store the stay suture 70.Many techniques can be used to store the stay suture 70 within thechamber 24, but in some embodiments a filament storage card 80, such asthe one shown in FIG. 6 and described in further detail below, can beused. One or more posts 25 can be formed in the chamber 24 to receivecomplementary apertures formed in the card 80.

The cover 22 can be detachable from the storage chamber 24. In theillustrated embodiment the cover 22 forms a snap-fit with the storagechamber 24 and a proximal end 26 of the knob 26. Once the cover 22 isdetached from the rest of the handle 20, the storage chamber 24 isaccessible. Accordingly, the stay suture 70 can be accessed anddisconnected from the card 80 so that the anchor 40 and shaft 30 can beseparated. A person skilled in the art will recognize a number of otherways by which the cover 22 can be attached to the storage chamber 24 toallow the cover to be opened to access the storage chamber 24,including, by way of non-limiting example, a hinge being formed betweenthe storage chamber 24 and the cover 22, or the cover 22 having aslidable opening that provides access to the storage chamber 24 from theoutside. Accordingly, the cover 22 does not have to be fully detachedfrom the chamber 24 to access the chamber 24, but rather must just beopened in some fashion to permit access.

One exemplary embodiment of a filament storage card 80 is illustrated inFIG. 6. Like many of the other components described herein, the card 80can be any number of shapes and sizes. As shown, it is generallyconfigured to fit within the confines of the handle 20, is substantiallyrectangular, substantially flat, and substantially thin. The card 80 caninclude one or more apertures 82 formed thereon to allow the card to bestored on posts 25 provided within the handle 20, as shown in FIG. 5. Inthe illustrated embodiment there are four apertures 82, and the card 80is designed to be folded along a line M so that each pair of apertures82 is concentric and disposable on the posts 25.

Optionally, a distal tab 84 can be included as part of the card 80, thetab 84 being configured to hold a filament gripper 90. As shown, anopening 86 is formed in the tab 84 and is configured to receive thegripper 90. The filament gripper 90 can include one or more slots orbarrels 92 configured to grasp filament and hold a location of thefilament as desired. In the illustrated embodiment the gripper 90includes two slots 92, each of which is configured to grasp terminalends 70 a, 70 b of the stay suture 70. By grasping the stay suture 70, atension can be maintained therein to adequately hold the anchor 40 onthe shaft 30. Excess stay suture 70 can then be stored in the chamber 24of the handle 20, for instance by wrapping the stay suture 70 in afigure eight pattern around the posts 25 and/or be wrapping it aroundthe card 80. While the card 80 and gripper 90 can be formed of anynumber of materials, in some exemplary embodiments each is made of aplastic material. In some other embodiments, no card is used and thehandle 20 can include other features adapted to receive and applytension to the stay suture 70.

A threader 60 can be used to pass one or more operative suture filamentsthrough the anchor 40. The threader 60 can be configured to allow for astarting position of a proximal end of a threader to be close to a portof a trocar to allow a suture filament extending from the anchor to beaccessed shortly after it extends outside of the port. The additionalcontrol afforded by the ring 50 allows for the use of shorter operativefilaments, and thus allows the threader 60 to start proximate to theport of a trocar, as described in greater detail below. Additionally,while many threaders are designed to be in two separate parts, thethreader 60 of the present disclosure is a singular component.

The threader 60 illustrated in FIG. 7A generally includes a distal end60 d having an opening 62 to receive suture filament to be loaded ontoan anchor, a proximal end 60 p having a handle 64, and a flexibleintermediate portion 60 i disposed therebetween. As illustrated in FIGS.7B and 7C, the distal end 60 d can be flexible, thereby allowing anopening 62 thereof to move between multiple configurations. In oneconfiguration, shown in FIG. 7B and referred to herein as a compressedor starting configuration, the opening 62 has an elongate shape with asubstantially uniform width 62 _(W1). The distal end 60 d can bepackaged in this starting configuration. As a result, once the threader60 is removed from the packaging, it can be passed through the ring 50and the anchor 40 without any manipulation of the distal end 60 d. Asshown in FIG. 7B, the distal end 60 d can then be adjacent to a distalend 40 d of the anchor 40 prior to associating any operative filamentwith the anchor 40.

The distal end 60 d can then be moved to a second configuration, shownin FIG. 7C and referred to herein as an open configuration. While theopen configuration can have any number of shapes, as shown the opening62 is substantially diamond-shaped, thereby creating an opening having awider width 62 _(W2) through which operative filament can be looped tobe subsequently passed through the anchor 40. The opening 62 can bemoved from the compressed configuration to the open configuration byapplying outward forces in a direction E to ends 60 e of the distal end60 d, for instance by placing a pliers-like instrument within theopening 62 and opening the instrument to apply the outward force.

The handle 64 of the threader 60 can have any shape, and can generallybe configured to allow a surgeon to easily grasp and pull the distal end60 d and intermediate portion 60 i toward the handle 20 of the tool 10.As the distal end 60 d advances proximally, the opening 62 can becomecompressed so that it can pass through the anchor 40. The intermediateportion 60 i can generally be flexible, but can have a substantiallyfixed length so that tension forms therein when pulling the distal end60 d through the anchor 40. In some embodiments the intermediate portion60 i can extend through the third chamber 46 of the distal end 30 of theshaft 30 prior to passing the suture filament through the anchor 40. Asa result, operative suture pulled through the anchor 40 by the threader60 can be disposed through the third chamber 46.

Shapes, sizes, and materials used to form the threader 60 arecommensurate with other components of the device 10 and are known tothose skilled in the art. Notably, because the threader 60 can beshorter than in previously known anchor insertion devices, a length ofthe intermediate portion 60 i can be smaller than in previous devices.In some embodiments a length of the intermediate portion 60 i can be inthe range of about 1 centimeter to 10 centimeters, and in one embodimentit can be about 3.9 centimeters. In one exemplary embodiment the distalend 60 d is made of a wire, the intermediate portion 60 i is made of aflexible filament, and the proximal portion 60 p is made of a plasticmaterial. A person skilled in the art will also recognize that otherdevices known for associating or coupling a suture filament with anchorscan also be used instead of a threader.

In use, the anchor insertion device 10 can be used to implant one ormore anchors at a surgical location. FIGS. 8A-8D illustrate oneexemplary embodiment of a procedure for implanting a suture anchor 40 ata surgical site. A surgical opening can be formed through skin 2 and atrocar 100 can be passed therethrough to provide a portal through tissueto the surgical site. As shown, the trocar 100 can extend proximallyfrom the skin 2 and can include a port 102 through which surgicalinstruments are inserted to access the surgical site. The port 102 isdisposed proximal of a valve 104 configured to insufflate the surgicalsite. In some embodiments, a pre-formed hole can be formed in bone, inwhich the anchor 40 will ultimately be disposed. The hole can be formedusing any technique known to those skilled in the art, including, by wayof non-limiting example, by using a surgical awl.

One or more surgical filaments 1000 for use in repairing tissue can beinserted through the trocar 100 and to the surgical site, with ends ofthe surgical filaments extending back through the trocar 100 and out ofthe port 102, as shown in FIG. 8A. The ends extending out of the port102 can be used by the surgeon to perform the tissue repair. Manydifferent techniques can be used to dispose the surgical filaments 1000at the surgical site. In some embodiments, one or more of the filaments1000 can be coupled to a needle and the needle passed through tissue tocouple the one or more filaments 1000 to tissue. In other embodimentsone or more of the filaments 1000 can be wrapped around tissue to berepaired. In still other embodiments, one or more of the filament 1000can be attached to implantable bone anchors and the anchors can bedriven into bone at or near the surgical site so that the one or morefilaments 1000 are at the surgical site for subsequent use. In suchembodiments one or more of the filaments 1000 can still be coupled tothe tissue to be repaired.

To the extent components of the assembly are not already set-up for usein the surgical procedure, the surgeon can set-up the assembly for usein the tissue repair. The shaft 30 can be coupled to the handle 20(shown in FIG. 8C), the ring 50 can be disposed around the shaft 30, theanchor 40 can be coupled to distal end 30 d of the shaft 30 and held inplace by the stay suture 70, and the threader 60 can be associated withthe anchor 40 and shaft 30. More particularly, the distal end 60 d andintermediate portion 60 i of the threader can be inserted through thecentral opening 52 of the ring 50, through a portion of the slot 32 ofthe elongate shaft 30, and through the anchor 40 such that the opening62 of the distal end 60 d is distal of and adjacent to the distal end 40d of the anchor 40, the handle 64 of the proximal end 60 p is proximalof and adjacent to the ring 50, and the intermediate portion 60 iextends therebetween. One or more of the filaments 1000 extending fromthe port 102 can be looped through the opening 62 of the threader 60 forsubsequent passing through the cannulated anchor 40.

The one or more filaments 1000 can be passed through the anchor 40 bypulling the threader handle 64 in an approximately proximal direction G.This action causes the intermediate portion 60 i to become tensioned andthe intermediate portion 60 i and distal end 60 d to advance proximallythrough the anchor 40. The opening 62 of the distal end 60 d cancollapse to pass through the anchor 40, and as it passes through theanchor 40, so do portions of the filament(s) 1000 coupled thereto. Theopening 62 can be passed to a proximal side of the ring 50, and thefilament(s) 1000 coupled thereto can be decoupled from the threader 60and the threader 60 removed from the assembly. As shown in FIG. 8B, theresulting configuration can be one in which ends of filaments 1000extend out of the port 102, through the anchor 40, at least a portion ofthe shaft 30, the ring central opening 52, and out at least to alocation proximal of the ring 50 for subsequent use in a surgical repairprocedure. The filaments 1000 extending distal of the port 102 canremain disposed in the body as the threader 60 is pulled proximallybecause of counteracting forces in the body. These counteracting forcescan be provided, by way of non-limiting example, by having therespective filaments 1000 coupled to tissue in the body or beinganchored in bone prior to operating the threader 60.

The anchor 40 can be advanced toward the surgical site, as shown in FIG.8C. A force in an approximate direction J can be applied to the insertershaft 30, thus causing the anchor 40 to advance in the direction J. Asthe shaft 30 and anchor 40 advance distally, the ring 50 can slide withrespect to shaft 30 such that a distance between the distal end 30 d ofthe shaft 30 and ring 50 increases. In one embodiment, the anchor 40 isadvanced distally to the surgical site to a location that is proximateto the bone to which tissue is to be attached, but the anchor 40 is notinserted into the pre-formed bone hole. As shown, during insertion ofthe shaft 30 and anchor 40, a distal surface 50 t of the ring 50 can bedisposed adjacent to a proximal surface 102 p of the port 102. Further,because in the illustrated embodiment the boss (not shown) formed on thecircumference of the central opening 52 is disposed in the slot 32 ofthe shaft 30, the ring 50 does not rotate as it slides with respect tothe shaft 30. Still further, the ends of the filaments 1000 extendingout of the port 102 can be grasped by the user to help prevent them fromadvancing distally below the port 102 with the anchor 40. The surgeoncan grasp the filaments 1000 near the port 102 because the length of thefilaments 1000 extending out of the port 102 can be substantiallyshorter than previous tissue repair assemblies. This makes it easier fora surgeon to manage the filaments 1000 and related components of theassembly.

The ends of the filaments 1000 extending from the body and out of thering 50 can be manipulated to perform a number of different surgicalprocedures. A person skilled in the art will recognize many differentways the filaments 1000 can be manipulated. By way of non-limitingexample, manipulation can include moving one or more of the filaments1000 axially to adjust a location of the respective filaments 1000 andany tissue attached thereto. By way of further non-limiting example,manipulation can include applying tension to one or more of thefilaments 1000 to draw tissue coupled thereto towards a desiredlocation, such as bone. As strands of the filaments 1000 are manipulatedto desired locations, the desired location and/or the desired amount oftension applied thereto can be maintained by disposing the strands inslots 54 formed in the ring 50. As shown in FIG. 8D, each end 1000 a,1000 b, 1000 c, 1000 d of filaments 1000 can be tensioned to a desiredamount and/or otherwise manipulated to a desired location and can bedisposed in separate slots 54 of the ring 50. Alternatively, multiplestrands of suture filaments can be disposed in the same slot 54 ifdesired.

In one exemplary embodiment, after all filaments 1000 have beenmanipulated and otherwise tensioned as desired, the filaments 1000 canbe removed from the slots 54 and grasped by the surgeon. The surgeon canthen insert the anchor 40 into the pre-formed hole in bone, for exampleby rotating the tool 10 to twist the anchor 40 into the pre-formed hole.Other techniques for inserting suture anchors into bone can also beused. The resulting interference between the hole and the anchor 40 canmaintain a location of the filaments 1000, and thus the tissue coupledthereto, with respect to the bone. Further, as the tool 10 is rotated,the ring 50 can engage the filaments 1000 to prevent them fromundesirably wrapping around portions of the shaft 30, particularlyportions located distal of the port 102.

After the anchor 40 is implanted, the stay suture 70 can be removed.This can occur by opening the door 22 (not shown) of the handle 20 (notshown), disassociating ends 70 a, 70 b (not shown) of the stay suture 70from the posts 25 (not shown), gripper 90 (not shown) and card 80 (notshown), and pulling the stay suture 70 out of communication with therest of the device 10. As a result, the shaft 30 can be separated fromthe anchor 40, and the shaft 30 can be removed from the surgical site.As the shaft 30 is removed from the surgical site, the filaments 1000extending through the ring central opening 52 can be engaged and guidedby the ring 50 to reduce the possibility of any unwanted twisting of thefilaments 1000 around the shaft 30. After the shaft 30 is removed, finalmanipulation of the filaments 1000 can occur to secure a location of thetissue with respect to the bone. Final manipulation can include actionssuch as tying a knot, cutting the filament, or other manipulations knownto those skilled in the art.

One skilled in the art will appreciate further features and advantagesof the invention based on the above-described embodiments. Accordingly,the invention is not to be limited by what has been particularly shownand described, except as indicated by the appended claims. By way ofnon-limiting example, a person skilled in the art will recognize othersurgical procedures involving suture filaments with which the tool 10,and components thereof, including the ring 50, can be used in view ofthe disclosures herein. All publications and references cited herein areexpressly incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for repairing tissue, comprising:inserting a suture anchor removably and replaceably coupled to a distalend of an inserter shaft through a cannula to position the suture anchoradjacent to an implant site, the suture anchor having a suture filamentassociated therewith that extends proximally from the anchor and throughthe inserter shaft, and the inserter shaft having a ring slidablydisposed therearound and coupled to the suture filament such that as theanchor moves toward the implant site, the ring slides relative to theinserter shaft in one degree of freedom and a distance between theanchor and the ring increases.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein thering does not rotate relative to the inserter shaft when slidingrelative thereto.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein as the anchor movestoward the implant site, the ring abuts a face of the cannula.
 4. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising inserting the suture filament intoa slot of the ring to maintain a tension applied to the suture filament.5. The method of claim 1, further comprising rotating the inserter shaftto insert the suture anchor into bone while the ring guides a trailingportion of the suture filament through a slot formed in the insertershaft.
 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising: loading a suturefilament onto a distal portion of a threader that is located distal ofthe suture anchor, the threader having an intermediate portion extendingthrough the suture anchor and a proximal portion located proximal of thesuture anchor, the proximal portion being disposed adjacent to the ring;and pulling the proximal portion of the threader proximally along theshaft, away from the ring, to advance the distal portion of thethreader, and thus the suture filament loaded thereon, through thesuture anchor and through the ring.
 7. A method for repairing tissue,comprising: inserting a suture anchor removably and replaceably coupledto a distal end of an inserter shaft through a cannula to position thesuture anchor adjacent to an implant site, the suture anchor having asuture filament associated therewith that extends proximally from theanchor and through the inserter shaft, and the inserter shaft having aring slidably disposed therearound and coupled to the suture filamentsuch that as the anchor moves toward the implant site, the ring slidesalong and in contact with the inserter shaft and a distance between theanchor and the ring increases.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein thering does not rotate relative to the inserter shaft when sliding alongand in contact therewith.
 9. The method of claim 7, wherein as theanchor moves toward the implant site, the ring abuts a face of thecannula.
 10. The method of claim 7, further comprising inserting thesuture filament into a slot of the ring to maintain a tension applied tothe suture filament.
 11. The method of claim 7, further comprisingrotating the inserter shaft to insert the suture anchor into bone whilethe ring guides a trailing portion of the suture filament through a slotformed in the inserter shaft.
 12. The method of claim 7, furthercomprising: loading a suture filament onto a distal portion of athreader that is located distal of the suture anchor, the threaderhaving an intermediate portion extending through the suture anchor and aproximal portion located proximal of the suture anchor, the proximalportion being disposed adjacent to the ring; and pulling the proximalportion of the threader proximally along the shaft, away from the ring,to advance the distal portion of the threader, and thus the suturefilament loaded thereon, through the suture anchor and through the ring.13. A method for repairing tissue, comprising: inserting a suture anchorremovably and replaceably coupled to a distal end of an inserter shaftthrough a cannula to position the suture anchor adjacent to an implantsite, the suture anchor having a suture filament associated therewiththat extends proximally from the anchor and through the inserter shaft,and the inserter shaft having a ring slidably disposed therearound andcoupled to the suture filament such that as the anchor moves toward theimplant site, the ring is movable with respect to the cannula while adistance between the anchor and the ring increases.
 14. The method ofclaim 13, wherein as the anchor moves toward the implant site, the ringabuts a face of the cannula.
 15. The method of claim 13, furthercomprising inserting the suture filament into a slot of the ring tomaintain a tension applied to the suture filament.
 16. The method ofclaim 13, further comprising rotating the inserter shaft to insert thesuture anchor into bone while the ring guides a trailing portion of thesuture filament through a slot formed in the inserter shaft.
 17. Themethod of claim 13, further comprising: loading a suture filament onto adistal portion of a threader that is located distal of the sutureanchor, the threader having an intermediate portion extending throughthe suture anchor and a proximal portion located proximal of the sutureanchor, the proximal portion being disposed adjacent to the ring; andpulling the proximal portion of the threader proximally along the shaft,away from the ring, to advance the distal portion of the threader, andthus the suture filament loaded thereon, through the suture anchor andthrough the ring.